Synopsis:
"Two of the things Benjamin Hunter received for his twelfth birthday took him completely by surprise: a room and a letter. The room was from his parents. The letter was from his uncle."
Ben was just two years old when he and his uncle, Ian, were last together, so Ben didn't remember him. And no one in Ben's family ever talked about the man. Thenthe letter arrived, changing Ben's life, and changing his family in unexpected ways. And there was the birthday room...

Note to readers:



This is a chapter book that you
won't be able to finish. Aim to read through the end
of chapter 3 (although you do not need to reach that
point), and tell the children that the book will be
placed into their library if they would like to check
it out and read the rest.

Discussion topics for before reading:



What do you want for your birthday?



What was your favorite birthday present you have
received? Given? What's the worst present you ever
received.



What pictures are on the cover? How do you think
they might relate to the story?



What do you think the title of this book means?
What do you think the story will be about?



Have your parents ever pressured you to be a
certain way or to be a certain kind of person?



Metaphors are similes without the words "like" or
"as." Have students keep track of (or shout out) the
metaphors as you read.

Bring ahead option for prize books: bring birthday
wrapping paper and have the children wrap the prize
books to be given out later.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you dont have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!